Telltale system for electric circuits.



C. E. BEACH.

TELLALE SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION man Nov. I3. 19m.

1,134,435, Patented Apr. 6,1915.

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'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE E. BEACH, 0F BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 GEORGE 0. KNAPP,

OF NEW YORK. N. Y.

TELLTALE SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

Application filed November 13, 1914.

T0 all whom, it may concern.'

Be it known that I, CLARENCE E. Braten, a citizen of the United States,residing at Binghamton, in the county of Broome and State of New York,have invented a new and useful T clltale System for Electric Circuits,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to telltale systems which are particularlyapplicable to signaling systems such are are adapted, for example, tothe protection of factory premises, and in which it is desirable toprovide a telltale by means of which the running down or breaking of themotor spring of any electromechanical device, such as a gong or aregister, may be immediately indicated at some central point, so thatsteps may be taken to )ut such device back into service.

An obJect of this invention is to provide for such a telltale system bythe use of a minimum amount of wiring.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a telltale systemwherein the contacts will be maintained under constant test Without theuse of any separate source of energy.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a telltale system inwhich the failure of any telltale contact will not disable any part ofthe signaling system.

Another object of this invention is to prot vide for the use of such atelltale in connection with a s stem adapted to the use ofelectromechanically actuated devices which require a comparatively largeelectric current for their control, while maintaining a constant test ofthe continuity of the circuit with a comparatively small current.

This invention contemplates a utilization of two conductors either ofwhich is adapted to act as a return between one terminal of the currentsource and all of the transmitting devices and receiving devices, saidconductors being jointly used as a return during one condition of thetelltale contacts, and but one of said conductors being employed as areturn during another condition of said telltale contacts. Such wiringis so utilized b y providing an indicating device and a reslstance orcounter electromotive force, so connecting them to the return conductorsthat there will normally be a suilcient difference of potential at theterminals of the indicating device to e'ectively energize 1t, and soconnecting the telltale contacts with Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

Serial No. 871,979.

said return conductors that the operation of said contacts willdenergize said indicating devlce. For the purpose of more clearlyillustrating the construction and operation of this telltale system, theaccompanying drawing shows the manner of its application todifferenttypes of signaling systems, one type cornpmsing an ordinaryseries signaling c1rcuit and the other being arranged in acfcoldanzewitlh he invention shown and more u y escri e in m co endin a lication,Serial No. 839,3r9. p g pp In the accompanying drawing in which likecharacters of reference refer to similar parts throuhout: Figure 1 showsa typical series signa ing 'circuit with this invention applied thereto.Fig. 2 shows this invention applied to a particular type of signalmcircuit, to be described.

eferring to Fig. 1, three signaling stations A, B and C are shown,connected by the outgoing wire 1, and the return wires 2 and 3 to thesource 5.

Typical transmitting devices are shown at each of the signalingstations, including the signal wheel 8, the si nalin lever 9, thecontacts 10 and 11, toget 'er with the non-interference magnet 12, andthe armature structure 13 controlled thereb said armature structureacting in a well Known manner to hold the signaling lever in closedcircuit position whenever the magnet 12 becomes deenerg'ized when 4theassociated contacts 10 and 11 are closed.

At each of the stations a signal receiving device ma' be installed, hereindicated as electromeclianical gengs 6, theA transmitting devices andsaid gongs being serially connected in the Wire 1. 4 y

The trouble nia et 14 is equipped with contacts to close t 'e circuit ofa trouble bell 19 wheneversaid magnet is deenergized', and said magnetis connected between the return wires 2 and 3 at one end thereof, whilea resistance or counter' electrornotive force 15 (which, for the sake ofbr'evit', I will hereinafter refer to as a. resistance is connectedbetween said re'turn Wires at the other end thereof. Under normalconditions, suicient current is caused to pass through magnet 14, inarallel with resistance 15, to energize sai magnet, and the resistance15 must be so low that the operation of the system will notbe impairedif the w'ire 2 is' broken.

The gongs 6 are provided with normally closed telltale contacts 7, whichare operated by the motor spring or by .ary suitable part of the gongmechanism, to 1n icate when the device has run down, or otherwise needsattention.

The contacts 7 are connected in series 1n wire 2, and since the detailsof construction and mounting of such telltalev contacts are well knownin the art, it is thou ht not necessary to confuse the drawin y showingsuch details therein. The te tale contacts may be connected betweenwires 2.and 3, as shown at station A' in Fig. 2, but 1t is preferable toconnect such contacts in the manner shown in Fig. 1 so that saidcontacts, and their effectiveness, may be kept under constant test. Ingeneral the telltale contacts 7 should be connected to such wires of anysystem that no portion essential the operation of any transmitting orreceivmg devices can be disabled by the operation of an or all of saidcontacts.

he current normally flows through the stem shown in Fi 1 as follows:from t e upper terminal o source 5, through outgoing wire 1 and thegongs 6 and contacts 10 and 11 and magnet 12 at stations A, B and C,which are serially included therein, to one terminal of resistance 15,where the current divides,part of the current flowing through saidresistance 15 and return wire 3 to the other terminal of source 5,- theremainder of the current owing through return wire 2 and the contacts 7of the stations C, B and A serially included therein, and manet 14 tothe return wire 3 where it joins t e path from resistance 15 to theother terminal of source 5. The current normally flowing through wire 1is suficient to energize al of the electromagnets included therein, andthe portion of the cur rent owing through wire 1 which normally passesthrough wire 2 is suilicient to effectively energize the electromagnet14 to hold the circuit of bell 19 o The operation of in system shown inFig. 1 will now be described. Any signal wheel 8 is operated to breakand close the circuit at the contacts 10 and 11 associated therewith.The gongs 6 and magnets 12 are affected by such breaks and closures in atypical well known manner. Thus at every break in the current flow inwire 1, a tap will be sounded on the gongs 6 and the armatures of thenon-interference magnets 12 will be released. In the event of anaccidental break in wires 1 or 2, magnet 14 will permit the'A circuit ofbell 19 to be closed.

f the spring of any gong 6 runs down, to such an extent as to operateits associated telltale contacts 7 to open the circuit through wire 2,magnet 14 will thereupon fail and cause the operation of bell 19.

Fig. 2 shows a trouble magnet 14', a

' contacts 7' of the source of ener 5, and signaling stations A', B' andC', aving transmitting devices and gongs, all of which are similar tocorresponding parts shown in Fig. l. The transmitting devices areserially connected in the wire l', and the gongs are serially connectedin the wire 4, the wires 2' and 3' being adapted to act as a returnbetween one terminal of the current source 5' and all of saidtransmittingx and receiving devices under certain con 'tions hereinafterreferred to, and under other conditions formmg a part of a returncurrent path, in parallel wlth the resistance 15', for the currentflowing from wire 1' to said terminal of the current source through wire4. The trouble magnet 14 is connected between re turn wires 2 and 3 atone end thereof, while resistance or counter electromotive force 15 isconnected' between said wires at the other end thereof, 'and thusprovides for the e'ective operation of the si aling system in case wire2 is open, an when said wire 2 is closed, and normal line current isilowin suilicient current is caused to pass throug the magnet 14', inparallel with resistance 15', to energize said magnet. The gongs 6 maypreferably be normally closed, as shown at stations B' and C', or may benormally open, as shown at station A. The contacts 7' of stations B andC' are connected in series in return wire 2', while the contacts 7' ofstation A' are connected between the return wires 2 and 3.

Relay 16 controls the contacts 20 and 21, contact 20 being adapted toconnect one terminal of source 5' to wire 3', and contact 21 beingadapted to connect the other terminal o source 5' to wire 4, wheneverrelay 16 is denergized. This relay and the resistance 17 are connectedbetween one end of wire 1' and one terminal of source 5', whileresistance 18 is connected between one end of wire 4 and the otherterminal of source 5'. Resistances 17 and 18 are pro'-r Vided to avoiduseless expediture of energy, the resistance of said circuit being so hih that the ma ets of gongs 6' are norma y not effective y energized,and, as relay 16 and resistance 17 are momentarily connected directlyacross source 5', in parallel with resistance 18, when contacts 20 and21 are closed, it is desirable that the resistance of these paths shouldbe equal, in order to reduce to a minimum the waste currenttherethrough. Condenser 22 is connected between wires 3' and 4 todecrease the spark at contacts 20 and 21'.

Keys 23, 24 and 25 and resistances 26 and 27 may be provided so that thelocation of any particular trouble may be ascertained by operating thesekeys an noting the eiect thereof u on magnet 14', or, in place of saidkeys an resistans, additional trouble magnets may be provided forcontrolling suitable trouble indicating devices to designate the portionof the circuit affected, in any well known manner.

By connecting all of the signal transmitting devices in the wire l', andall the signal receiving devices in the wire 4, the wires 2' and 3 areavailable for use both to complete the circuit for these devices andalso for tne purposes of the telltale system, as will be hereinaftermore fully explained.

Current normali flows through the system as follows: rom upper terminalof source 5' through resistance 17, relay 16, to wire 1', throughcontact 10', contact 11', and magnet 12' at stations A', B' and C',through Wire 2', contacts 7' at stations C' and B' to key 24, magnet14', wire 3', to wire 4, through gongs 6' at stations C', B' and A', toresistance 18, to the other side of source 5'. Current also Hows fromwire 2' to wire 3' through resistance 15'. The current normally flowingthrough the wires 1', 2', 3' and 4 is sutlicient to energize all of theelectromagnets therein except the magnets of gongs 6' which are normallynot effectively energized. u

The operation of the embodlment of this invention shown in Fig. 2 is thesame as that illustrated in Fig. 1 except in the followin respects. Whenthe circuit is opened an closed at contacts 10' and l1' of an signalingstation, relay 16 responds to tie break by releasing its armature toclose its contacts 20 and 21. Whenever these contacts are closed, thefollowing circuit is established: from upper terminal of source 5' tocontact 21, to Wire 4, dividing into two branches; (1) through wire 4and gongs 6', to wire 3', contact 20 to lower terminal of source 5'; (2)through resistance 18tolower terminal of source 5'. Now, when contacts10' and 11' are closed, the following third path is established: fromupper terminal of source 5', through resistance 17, relay 16, wire 1' toone terminal vof resistance 15' where the current divides,-part of thecurrent flowing through said resistance 15 and return wire 3' andcontact 20, to lower terminal of source 5',-the remainder of saidcurrent flowing through return wire 2' and the contacts 7 of thestations C' and B' serially included therein, and magnet 14' to returnwire 3', where it joins the path from resistance 15' to the otherterminal of source 5'. It will be noted that this third path is closedonl while the contacts 10', 11 and 20 are simu taneously closed.

lVhile the contacts 20 and 21 are closed, the current through gongs 6'is reversed and greatly increased, and the magnets of these gongs areeffectively ener ized and attract their armatures to releaset eirstriking mechanism. The reversal of the current through these magnetswhen contacts 20 and 21 are again opened overcomes any residualmagnetism which might be present and which might tend to hinder theoperation of the gongs. At every break in the wire 1' a tap will besounded on the gongs 6'.

The denergization of magnet 14' in the event of an accidental break inany of the wires 1', 2', 3' or 4, While the contacts 20 and 21 are open,will cause the trouble bell 19' to sound.

If the spring of the gong 6' at either station B' or C' is run down, tosuch an extent as to operate theI contacts 7 thereat to open Wire 2',magnet 14' will thereupon fail and cause the operation of trouble bell19'. If it is desired to have the contacts 7 stand normally open, andconnected as shown at station A', the operation of these contacts willbe to short circuit the magnet 14', to cause it to release its armature.

If either of the Wires 1' or 4 should break, both magnet 14' and relay16 will fail. If the break is in Wire 1', the pressing of key 23 willresult in the energization of both magnet 14' and relay 16. If the breakis in wire 4, it will require the pressing of key 25 to result in theenergization of both magnet 14' and relay 1G. If either Wire 2 or 3'should break, only magnet 14 will fail. If the break is in wire 2', thepressing of key 23 will result in the energization of magnet 14'. If thebreak is in wire 3', it will require the pressing of key 25 to result inthe energization of magnet 14'.

The contmuity of resistance 15 may be tested by use of the key 24. Ifthe circuit through this resistance is continuous, the pressing of thiskey will result only in the failure of magnet 14', while if the circuitthrough this resistance is open, the pressing of the key 24 will alsoresult in the failure of relay 16.

While non-interfering signal transmitting devices are shown, it isobvious that either lain or succession devices may be used 1f desired. J

The foregoing applications of this invention are typical, and theinvention may be correspondingly applied to other systems. I thereforedo not Wish to limit myself to the particular construction shown anddescribed, as changes may be made therein Without departing from thespirit of this invention.

The si naling system shown in Fig. 2 and hereinbe ore described inconnection with said figure is not herein claimed, as the same forms thesubject matter of another application filed by me, Serial No. 839,349.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

l. In a signaling system: a circuit including a source of energy, aresistance, transmitting devices, and receiving devices, a shunt or aportion of said circuit including said resistance and notransmittiiigvdevices or receiving devices; an indicatingJ device insaid shunt; and means controlled y each of seveal of said receivingdevices for control-j` ling the operation ofvsaid indicating device.

2. In a signaling system: a source of energy; a resistance; transmittingdevices; receiving devices; 'conductors' operatively connecting saidsource, said resistance, said transmitting devices, and saidreceivingde.- vices; said resistance being 'connected in the currentpath between a terminal of said source and said receivin devices; ashunt for said resistance inclu ing an indicatin device; and mechanismassociated with eac of several of said receiving devices for suitablycontrolling said shunt.

3. In a signaling system: a source of ener a resistance; transmittingdevices; receiving devices; conductors operatively connecting saidsource, said resistance, said transmitting devices, and said receivingdevices; said resistance being connected in the current path between aterminal of said course and said receivi devices; a rshunt for saidresistance inclu ing an indicating device; and mechanism associated witheach of several of said receiving devices `for controlling thecontinuity of said shunt.

4. In a signaling system: a source of energy; a resistance; transmittingdevices; normally wound receiving devices; conductors operativelyconnecting said source, said resistance, said transmitting devices, andsaid Areceiving devices; said resistance being connected in the currentpath between a terminal of said source and said receiving devices; ashunt for said resistance including an indicating device; and echanismoperated by the running down of any of several of said receiving devicesfor suitablv controlling said shunt.

5. In a signaling system: a source of energy; a resistance; transmittingdevices; normally wound receiving devices; conductors operativelyconnecting said source, said resistance, said transmitting devices, andsaid receiving devices; said resistance being connected in the currentath between a terminal of said source an said receiving devices; a shuntfor said resistance including an indicating device; and mechanismoperated by the running down of any of several of said receiving devicesfor controlling the continuity of said shunt.

6. In a signaling system: a circuit including a source of energy,transmitting devices, normally wound receivin devices, and twoconductors either of whic is adapted to act as a return between oneterminal of said source and all of the transmitting devices andreceiving devices; an indicating device connected between one end of one`of said conductors and one end of the otherof said conductors;andcmeans operated-bythe runidegsee as a return between one terminal ofsaid source and all of the transmitting y devices and receiving devices;an indicating device connected between one end of one of said conductorsand one end of the other of said conductors; Va resistance connected between the remaining ends of said conductors; and means operated yby therunning downj of any of several of said receiving devices for breakingone of said` conductors.

8. In a signaling system; a circuit including asource of energy, aplurality of transin itting devices, a p uralityof receiving devices,each compri a spring driven electromechanical gong aving a circuitcontrol-ler controlled by the running down or winding up of the springof said gon and two conductors eitherA o which is aapted to act as areturn between one terminal of said source and all of the Vtransmittingdevices and receiving devices; andv an indicating device connectedbetween one end of one of said conductors and one end of thje other ofsaid conductors; several of said circuit controllers being arranged tosuitably control said indicatng device without operatively allecting thecontrol of said receiving devices by said transmitting devices.

9. In a signaling system; a circuit including a source'of energy, aplurality of transmitting devices, a p urality of receiving devices,each 'comprising a spring driven electromechanical gong having a circuitcontroller controlled by the running down or Winding up of the spring ofsaid gong, and two conductors either of which is ada ted to act asareturn between one termina of said source 'and all of the transmittingdevices and receiving devices; an indicatin -device connected betweenone end of one o said conductors and one end of the other of saidconductors; and a resistance connected between the remaining ends ofsaid conductors; several of said circuit controllers being arranged tosuitably control said indicating device without operatively af fectinthe control of said receivingdevices by said transmitting devices.v

10. In a signaling system, a resistance and a plurality of transmittingdevices in one wire thereof, a resistance and a pluralit ofreceivingdevices in another wire thereo ,an indicating device soassociated-with other wires of said system that the operation of said.ydevice may be controlled without affecting the operation of the rest ofthe system, means for so controlling the operation of said indicatingdevice, and means coniid trolled by any transmitting device forconnecting said resistances in multiple with each other and with thereceivingI devices.

11. In a signaling system, a resistance and a plurality of transmittingdevices in one wire thereof, a resistance and a plurality of receivingdevices in another wire thereof, an indicating device and a thirdresistance connected in multiple at opposite ends of other Wires of saidsystem, means connected with said other Wires for controlling theoperation of said indicating device, and means controlled by anytransmitting device for connecting said first named resistances inmultiple with each other and with the receiving devices.

12. In a signaling system, a resistance and a plurality of transmittingdevices in one wire thereof, a resistance and a pluralit of receivingdevices in another wire thereog an indicating device and a thirdresistance connected in multiple at opposite ends of other wires of saidsystem, means connected with said other wires for controlling theoperation of said indicating device, and means controlled by anytransmitting device for connecting said first named resistance, saidtransmitting devices and said indicatin device and third resistance inmultiple Wit the second named resistance and with the receiving devices.

13. In a signaling system, a metallic circuit, a plurality oftransmitting devices in one wire thereof, a plurality of receivingdevices in another Wire thereof, an indicating device and a resistanceconnected in multiple at opposite ends of other Wires of said circuit,means connected with said other wires for controlling the operation ofsaid indicating device, a source of energy for said circuit, two otherresstances normally in series therewith, and means controlled by anytransmitting device for connecting said other resistances in multiplewith each other and with said receiving devices.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th day ofNovember,

C. E. BEACH. Witnesses:

M. L. THOMAS, JOHN C. PHELPS.

Corrections iny Letters Patent No. 1,134,435.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,134,435, grantedApril 6, 1915, upon the application of Clarence E.. Beach, ofBinghamton, New York, for an im provement in Telltale Systems forElectric Circuits," errors appear in the printed specication requiring`correction as follows: Page 4, line 2.3, for the word cours-c readsource; same page, line 98, for the wor indicating read indicating.' andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with these correctionstherein, that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Oce.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of May, A. D., 1915.

[SEAL] R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Acting Commissioner 0f Patents.

